The charities tackling prison overcrowding

According to Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures, the England and Wales prison system almost ran out of space in autumn 2024. The data showed the prison population in September of that year reached 88,521, dangerously close to full operational capacity of 89,619.

As a result, the Labour government, which was elected in during the summer of 2024, was forced to release some prisoners on determinate sentences early. While prisoners are usually released from prison and into the community on licence after serving half their sentence, this was changed for some to 40% of their sentence to free up space.

But in future even this measure may not be enough, due to the rising prison population, coupled with a lack of long-term capacity building in the system under the previous Conservative government. The MoJ estimates the prison population could increase by a further 12,000 by March 2028.

Tackling reoffending, which applies to one in four convicted criminals in England and Wales, is an important way to cut the prison population. This is where the work of charities can help, by working closely with prisoners to reduce the chance of them reoffending.

Lord Farmer, the Conservative peer and author of government reviews looking at the importance of family relationships to prisoners, is among justice campaigners calling on the government to use charities more to reduce reoffending.

“I recommended that prisons be extrovert and draw in local charities and other organisations to expose men to opportunities on the outside,” the peer said in the House of Lords in September 2024.

Here we showcase some of the charities that are already working with prisoners to reduce recidivism to ease pressure on the UK’s overcrowded prisons.

Fresh Start Future Enterprises

Norwich-based  Fresh Start Future Enterprises supports offenders through a trauma-informed approach, which focuses on understanding how traumatic events, such as abuse or neglect as a child, have impacted their lives.

Support includes helping released prisoners access housing, employment training, and mental health support.  Initiatives include its Pathway to Change project that is designed by ex-offenders and offers mentoring, employability and wellbeing support.

Since 2020 it has reduced recidivism by 87%, according to figures released by the charity in 2024. “By combining lived experience with professional expertise, we create an environment of empathy and understanding that encourages genuine change,” said the charity’s Funding and Development Manager Jamie Barnes.

Women in Prison

As of September 2024, there were 3,656 female prisoners in England and Wales. Among charities supporting their needs and looking to reduce reoffending is the UK-wide Women in Prison, which in 2023 won an equality and diversity award at the Charity Governance Awards.

Services include support for prisoners and their families, including guidance for women in court on protecting their children.

It also has a trauma-informed approach to its support, which includes helping women at the point of arrest in Greater Manchester, one-to-one help to reduce reoffending among prisoners in London prior to their release and running a mental health advocacy service at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey.

“I would have been lost without” the charity’s help, said Tara, who has received mental health support from Women in Prison.“I don’t think I would have coped and would most likely have started drinking again and done something silly.”

The Clink

Equipping prisoners with employable skills in the hospitality sector is the focus of The Clink’s work. It runs more than 30 training projects in restaurants, gardens, canteens, events catering, and prison kitchens.

This includes The Clink Restaurant at the Georgian built old governor’s house at HMP Brixton. Here all food is cooked and served to the public by offenders who are working towards gaining City and Guilds NVQs in food and beverage service, professional cookery and food hygiene.

This initiative helps students to engage with the public as they prepare to leave prison life. In addition, furniture at the restaurant is made by prisoners at HMP Frankland.

In 2024 the restaurant received a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award and as of October 2024 it was ranked 48 out of just under 22,000 restaurants in London, according to the review site.

Koestler Arts

Koestler Arts was set up by writer Arthur Koestler in the 1960s to recognised creative work by prisoners through an award scheme. Over time its work has grown to offer feedback, mentoring as well as run exhibitions and events.

It is based near HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs in London and works across the UK criminal justice system, including in young offender institutions and secure hospitals.

As of 2024 it had supported more than 100,000 prisoners and others who are detained.

Nine in ten entrants to its annual awards scheme said that being involved had improved their self-confidence. Half believe their involvement had helped keep them away from crime.

The charity points out that prisoners whose work is chosen for exhibitions can meet with family and friends at family days. This helps “to build and reinforce the relationships that are vital to rehabilitation and resettlement”.